GEORGE
LEIBECKE was one of the original members of the Camden Fire Department,
entering service on December 7, 1869 as the driver of Engine Company
2. He was born in Pennsylvania around 1819.

Prior to entering the fire department
George Leibecke had worked as a blacksmith and as a whitesmith.
A whitesmith is a person who works with
"white" or light-colored metals such as tin and pewter.
While blacksmiths work mostly with hot metal,
whitesmiths do the majority of their work on cold metal
(although they might use a forge to shape their raw materials). The
term is also applied to metalworkers who do only finishing work
– such as filing or polishing – on iron and other
"black" metals. Whitesmiths
make things such as tin or pewter cups, water pitchers, forks,
spoons, and candle holders.

George
Leibecke was living at the 315 Pine Street when he joined the
fire department in the fall of 1869.

On September 2, 1869 City Council enacted a municipal
ordinance creating a paid fire department. It provided for the annual
appointment of five Fire Commissioners, one Chief Marshal (Chief of
Department)
and two Assistant Marshals. The City was also divided into two fire
districts. The boundary line ran east and west, starting at Bridge
Avenue and following the tracks of the Camden and Amboy Railroad to
the city limits. District 1 was south of this line and District 2 was
north. The commissioners also appointed the firemen who were
scheduled to work six 24 hour tours per week. William
Abels, from the
Weccacoe Hose Company No. 2 was appointed Chief Marshal with William
J. Mines, from the Independence Fire Company No. 3 as Assistant Marshal
for the 1st District, and William H. Shearman as the Assistant Marshal
for the 2nd District. Abels
had served with the volunteer fire
departments of Philadelphia, Mobile, Alabama and Camden for sixteen
years prior to his appointment as Chief of the paid force.

On
November 10, 1869 City Council purchased the Independence Firehouse,
the three-story brick building at 409 Pine
Street, for $4500. The
building was designated to serve as quarters for Engine Company 1
and
the 1st District. On October 29, 1869 City Council authorized
construction of a two-story brick building on the northwest corner of Fifth and
Arch
Streets as quarters for the 2nd District. On November
25th the Fire Commissioners signed a contract with M.N. Dubois in the
amount of $3100 to erect this structure. The 2nd District would share
these quarters with
Engine Company 2 and the Hook
& Ladder Company and the facility would also serve as department headquarters
for the new paid force. The original contract remains part of the
Camden County Historical Society collection.

Two
Amoskeag second class, double pump, straight frame steam engines were
purchased at a cost of $4250 each. Two Silsby two wheel hose carts,
each of which carried 1000 feet of hose, were another $550 each and
the hook & ladder, built by Schanz and Brother of Philadelphia was
$900. Each engine company received a steam engine and hose cart.
Amoskeag serial #318 went to Engine Company 1, and serial #319 to
Engine Company 2. The Fire Commission also secured the services of the
Weccacoe and Independence steamers in case of fire prior to delivery
of the new apparatus. Alfred McCully of Camden made the harnesses for
the horses. Camden's Twoes & Jones made the overcoats for the new
firemen and a Mr. Morley, also of Camden, supplied the caps and belts
which were manufactured by the Migeod Company of Philadelphia. The new
members were also issued badges.

This
is the earliest known photo of fire headquarters on the northwest
corner of Fifth and
Arch
Streets. Originally built in 1869, the
building shows signs of wear some twenty years later. Note the
weathervane shaped like a fireman's speaking trumpet atop the tower.
Also, the fire alarm bell is pictured to the left of the telegraph
pole above the rooftop. The bell was removed from the building once
the fire alarm telegraph system was expanded and in good working
order.

This
maker's plate once was attached to a harness made by A. McCully &
Sons, 22 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey. This firm provided the
first harnesses for the paid fire department in 1869.

Badges
worn by the marshals, engineers, stokers and engine drivers bore the
initial letter of their respective positions and their district
number. The tillerman and his driver used the number "3" to
accompany their initial letter. The extra men of the 1st District
were assigned badges 1-10; 2nd District badges were numbered 11-20 and
the extra men of the hook & ladder wore numbers 21-30.

Although
the Fire Commission intended to begin operation of the paid department
on November 20, 1869, the companies did not actually enter service
until December 7th at 6 P.M. because the new apparatus and buildings
were not ready. The new apparatus was not tried (tested) until
December
9th.

The
first style of breast badge worn by members of the career department
in the City of Camden. 1869. (Courtesy of the C.C.H.S. Collection).

George
Leibecke was transferred to Engine Company 1 on August 1, 1871. Camden
Fire Department records presently at hand indicate that he served
through 1874, then was reappointed for another year in 1876. The 1878
City Directory gives an address of 911 Reese Street. The 1880 Census
shows him and his wife Eliza residing at 211 Senate
Street. Both records
gave his occupation as blacksmith. Neither George or Eliza Leibecke
appear in the 1882-1883 Directories or those thereafter.

Eliza
Leibecke had been active in fraternal circles as a member of the Lydia
Darrah Home Communion, No. 2 of the Brotherhood of the Union, and was a
charter member of Palestine Lodge of the Ladies of Pythias.

In
1886 George Reeser Prowell wrote the following about Brotherhood of the
Union's Lydia Darrah Home Communion, No 1 and of the Palestine Lodge,
No. 1 of which Eliza Leibecke was a
member: